Artist Profile

UTEO AFRICA FESTIVAL 2018

Bil Aka Kora

Burkina Faso

Bil Aka Kora born Bilgo Akaramata Kora started his musical journey when he joined the military orchestra during the Burkinabe revolution. He joined the University of Ouagadougou in 1990, where he further pursued his dream of becoming an artist by joining the Ouagadougou University Orchestra (1993-1994) and then Harlem Brothers (1995-1997) in Burkina Faso.

The singer-songwriter made his first musical breakthrough with the release of his first album “Douatou” meaning “maker of rain” in 1998. Bil stands out with his musical style called “Djongo”, which draws its origins in the traditional kasséna rhythms from the Kasséna ethnic group in Burkina Faso. This dance is characterized by the competition between several dancers, so it is a dance of strength in which the dancers compete for power.

The Burkinabè star combines traditional djongo rhythms with jazz, blues and reggae giving his music a harmonious fusion that sets it apart from other trends. Bil has released 6 albums; all produced by his record label “Djongo Diffusion”. He is scheduled to release his 7th Album at the end of 2018.

With a musical career spanning over 20 years, Bil Aka Kora has won 2 “Kundé d’or” (the barometer of Burkinabè music) trophies in 2002 and 2005. He has also collaborated with several renowned African artists such as Smockey and Smarty from Burkina Faso, Manu Dibango of Cameroon, Ray Lema and Jean Goubal of DRC, John Arcaduss of Benin, Fatim Marico of Niger, Didier Awadi of Senegal and the group Tamtandos from Italy.

On the international front he has taken part in various music festivals such as the Anoumanbo Music Festival in Côte d’Ivoire, the Niger River Festival in Mali, the Desert Festival in Mali, the Ya Laafi festival in Belgium, the Africa Fest festival in Japan. He has also toured Austria, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the United States.